Google forays Into The ebook Biz

Google has indicated its intent to introduce a program by that would enable publishers to sell digital versions of their newest books direct to consumers through Google, according to a recent article in the New York Times.

The move pits Google against Amazon, which looks to control the e-book market in a very Apple-like way with its Kindle offerings and e-book sale pipeline to them.

Since many ebooks are found from a Google search in the first place there is a binding logic to seeing Google skip the middle man and enter the ebook business themselves.

What’s going to be really interesting I suspect, is to see how well this does against the Amazon Kindle crowd. That ought to be really interesting. Because it will mean Google having to tread onto Amazon’s home turf, I bet that Amazon is not going to take this lying down.

Amazon versus Google

If Amazon have made a false move with the Kindle, who benefits? One beneficiary is surely going to be Apple. The iPhone and the iTouch are already very text capable and they will only get more so as Apple extends the touchscreen interface to larger systems. But the other big gainer, in the long-term, perhaps the biggest beneficiary, is going to be Google. Google with its Book Search program and its alliances with publishers and libraries is going to occupy the place that would otherwise appear to be Amazon's of becoming our preferred source of access to published literature. Amazon seems to have taken a wrong turn in supposing that distribution, rather than access and search, is the key challenge for digital print.

Google and Apple, between them already have the solution for eBooks (and its not a download solution). Read and search on your iPhone and access via a web browser, anything in print can be handled that way. More to the point: everything in print can be handled that way. Everything will be searched via the web, everything will be accessed via the web. Downloads are pretty much of an irrelevance. The question is: what do authors and publishers plan to do about that?

Answer: "Maybe the publishers should themselves try selling/granting access direct". Aside from Google with its Book Search, the publishers are the other variable in the market-place which has a promising opportunity if the Amazon Kindle download system bombs. After all, scientific and technical publishers have made a reasonable fist of creating a digital market for their STM periodicals. Book publishers need to create access opportunities and figure out how to sell digitally direct.

Please leave your comments in the comments box below.

Open Source as a Business Model

Bringing Open Source to the Data Warehouse.

By wrapping MySQL around its software, Miriam Tuerk (CEO InfoBright), says, Infobright was able to take open source beyond the LAMP stack and make data warehousing simple, fast and easy.

In order to be competitive in whatever market or business you're in, companies need to be very smart and use analytics to run their businesses. You have to have the leanest, meanest logistics supply chain. You have to know that the market's going to turn so that you don't have too much inventory. If you don't do that very well, you won't survive very long. "We've seen a lot of Tier 1 companies go bankrupt in the last little while because of that" says Tuerk.

The reason business intelligence and analytics has grown so much is because the volume of data, the pervasiveness of electronic services, is exploding. So now, instead of just having a CEO run a report and look at metrics, every single employee in the company is doing that.

All kinds of data warehousing technology already existed out there. But, the problem was the technology was extremely complicated. It took weeks and months to set up systems and configure them. I remember someone saying once that there's a standard rule for a data warehouse: two, two and 50. It takes $2 million and two years to build a data warehouse, and you have a 50 percent chance of success. So there was an opportunity for Infobright to be a very disruptive force.

Think of Google as your analytic tool. If you want to know any piece of information today, you just go to Google and ask the question. You don't build the data set in Excel and sort through it and organize it before you ask the question. You just ask the question. So we set out a business plan to build something that was simple, fast and easy. "As we went to market, we learned you want all aspects of your business to be like that. The simplest, fastest and easiest way for a business to implement new technology is open source" says Tuerk.

Why open source?

You can just go to the Web site, you can download it, and you can get it up and running. You haven't had to go through procurement; you haven't had to have legal review a contract. You haven't had to go through the architectural review board. If you're a database administrator in a bank whose vice president of risk management comes to you and says, "I've got all these mortgage CDOs and all of a sudden they're not worth anything. I need you to run some analysis." You need to be able to do it fast without having to deal with your own bureaucracy.

So in 2006, Infobright took two steps toward open source. The first step was, we decided we needed to be part of a community that knew how to talk to our software. It's one thing to have this really great technology under the covers, but if it's a new technology that's too complicated to learn, you're not going to get adoption.

We were the first storage engine partner of MySQL. What we did was we took our software and wrapped MySQL around it... So the hundreds of millions of people who know MySQL and are certified on it ... they know how to use our software because on the outside, we look like and run like MySQL. Anything that works with MySQL works with us.

The second step was to launch the company open source in September of last year. And that has truly delivered a hockey stick for us. Up until September, we had eight customers. We finished last quarter with more than 50 customers. And that doesn't count the number of community users.

The mobile future of the keyboard

Cellphone users don't have it easy – many enter far more letters than numbers into their gadgets, but most phones still make you do so using a number pad. Meanwhile, the designers of smart phones seem determined to make touchscreen keyboards the norm before they have been fully perfected.

Although touch screens are popular with designers, tapping at images of buttons on a small, slippery surface does not provide a good user experience. resolving better ways to input text on touch screens is important for more than just phones too, as they become common in other places like desktop computers, gaming devices and coffee tables.

Recently some more innovative ideas have shown where the future of mobile touch-screen text input may lie. One that launched recently is Shapewriter – already available for the iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile devices.

It does away with the backwards-looking concept of pecking at images of keys on a glossy surface. A qwerty layout is still shown, but the user draws over it to link up the letters of a word they wish to write. The company behind Shapewriter says it has evidence this can be significantly faster than even a conventional touch keyboard – although at first glance, the shapes you draw even for relatively simple words seem elaborate.

This video showing a mobile computer controlled using an interface projected onto any surface, like your hand, gives one possible view of the more distant future. But ultimately entering text may stop being a physical task altogether.

Should Microsoft Stores Worry Apple?

On Monday, David Porter starts at Microsoft as corporate vice president of retail. He comes to Microsoft following a two-year stint with DreamWorks Animation and a quarter-century at Wal-Mart. His first responsibility: Planning Microsoft stores.

I've long advocated that Microsoft should open retail stores. Apple's success isn't the reason. Microsoft has serious marketing problems that Apple is just now starting to encounter: Product complexity that complicates marketing. Succinctly, Microsoft problems are:

* Product benefits tend to multiply, which makes the selling harder. Microsoft widget A is pretty good but better with widget B and also C. Microsoft calls this concept "better together," but it's worse from a marketing perspective. Apple's hardship is less, because popular products such as iPod and iTunes started out doing one thing well and expanded features over time; customers are familiar with the basics. New capabilities tend to be related and consolidated.

* Retailers could better promote Microsoft product benefits, but often don't. They typically still push hardware and software specs and features over benefits. Apple has similar problems outside its own stores.

* No one sells a Microsoft lifestyle. Most successful brands promote a lifestyle related to their products. Apple, Harley-Davidson, Nokia and Pepsi are all lifestyle brands. Among Pepsi products, Mountain Dew is perhaps best example of lifestyle marketing. The official Web site, with the now shortened Mtn Dew, shows the lifestyle approach. Apple Stores promote a Mac lifestyle. Microsoft has got none.

These are the reasons Microsoft should open retail stores, but company executives might have other ones. If the primary one is Apple, I predict the stores are doomed before they open. Chasing Apple is the wrong reason to go into retail.

Budget? Hip? Practical?
There are tweets aplenty about Microsoft's retail plans, today. Jim Hong appropriately questioned: "What kind of brand image are they going for? Boutique or Budget? Hip or Practical?"

Microsoft could go a number of different ways with the stores:

* The Wal-Mart approach would emphasize value: Microsoft software and OEM partner hardware pack in lots of features for low cost. Value marketing would emphasize the so-called "Apple Tax"—the price premium Microsoft claims people pay for Macs over PCs. Apple wouldn't want these kinds of retail shops in the same malls as its stores.

* Hip would emphasize gaming and entertainment. That means Xbox 360 and all the cool ways to customize the game consoles with third-party gears. Yes, Zune would have its place in the stores and Windows Mobile phones, too. Two themes would emerge: Having fun and being social using Microsoft software and services or supporting third-party products.

* The practical approach would cater to small businesses—how they can get more done for less by going Microsoft. But there would be a practical aspect relating to lifestyle, too. Increasingly there are simultaneously convergent and divergent personal and professional lifestyles. The same products are often used at work or school and home.

Jim's questions are appropriate, because the answers should be "yes" to them all. Microsoft should open one kind of store that is budget-oriented, hip and practical. Microsoft would be smart to quadrant the stores, but not the same as Apple does. Apple stores used to be sectioned by lifestyle function, such as photos and video. Today, the stores are more-often divided up around products. Microsoft should be bolder, with quadrants embracing different digital lifestyles.

Build the Right Store
I would design a Microsoft store around a central hub that is brimming with motion and excitement. Flashing screens would show different hip aspects of the Microsoft lifestyle and how different products can work well together. Along the periphery would be lifestyle quadrants. Some suggestions: Business, gaming, mobile, music, school and teens.

Teens should be a top marketing priority for Microsoft because:

* Apple and Google are doing well courting the teen segment to their products.

* Analysts say that today's teens don't have brand allegiance, which is wrong. There's a pack mentality; teen allegiance follows brands used by friends. If they all buy Microsoft, they all buy Microsoft. Or Apple.

* Even in a weak economy, teens will have lots of disposable income to spend.

Where Microsoft should imitate Apple: Sideline or even ditch altogether the cashier section. Apple's handheld point-of-sale device approach is simply brilliant. Microsoft should do the same. After all, those handhelds used in Apple Stores run Windows Mobile/CE.

The Nokia-Sony Hybrid
The best model for a Microsoft store isn't Apple, but a Nokia-Sony hybrid. Nokia and Sony share similar marketing and channel problems with Microsoft:

* They offer a wide variety of products.

* Their products are sold through many other retailers (e.g., channel conflict).

* The stores sell different digital lifestyles.

Sony says it all with the name: SonyStyle Store. Lifestyle is the point, and like Microsoft Sony sells many products that presumably get better when used together. Sony recently started putting BackStage booths in the stores. Like Apple's Genius Bar they provide technical assistance. Sony also promotes BackStage from the SonyStyle Web site. Microsoft stores should offer similar support and training services as Apple and Sony, with emphasis on promoting the Microsoft lifestyle.

Nokia operates two flagship stores in the United States compared to about 60 Sony locations (including outlets). Americans are deprived of Nokia marketing, since the cell phones sell more in Asia, Africa and Europe than here. Among technology companies, Nokia is the gold standard for lifestyle marketing, much better than even Apple.

My suggested Microsoft store design is for the purpose of emphasizing lifestyle. Microsoft may want something more concrete for people to identify with, which could even be "I'm a PC."

Microsoft should not just sell its technologies but use them in a hip, lifestyle-marketing way. There should be Surface tables, Touch Wall, Windows 7 multitouch screens, digicam demonstrations using Photsynth and learning area with WorldWide Telescope. Why not some Songsmith Karaoke?

Timing Is Perfect
I've read some commentary over the last 24 hours suggesting that Microsoft has got lousy timing. They contend that it's lunacy to be launching new retail stores when so many retailers are going bankrupt. That's butt thinking. Stop sitting on your brain! The recession makes 2009 a very good year to launch a new retail chain. Some reasons:

* Microsoft's retail channel is shrinking. Circuit City won't be the last electronics dealer to go belly up this year, or next.

* Retail real estate is going to be cheap. Mall managers are freaking out about all these stores closing. Microsoft would be a great multiyear tenant. Malls will get commitment, but perhaps not price. They're hurting for stores, and Microsoft will know it. No company negotiates good deals like Microsoft. Terms will favor Microsoft.

* Microsoft has the cash to invest in retail. If the stores are done well and located in high-trafficked malls, they'll pay for themselves in marketing.

Microsoft will succeed or fail based on vision. If the model is Wal-Mart, which is David's retail background, Microsoft shouldn't bother. If the vision is Microsoft's fake store, showcased in early January, again, there's no reason to bother. Staid Microsoft must be bold and do for retail what Apple did: Make competitors look oh-so last century. If not, Apple shouldn't worry much about Microsoft stores.

iSkoot’s Kalaida Platform Makes Your Plain Phone Smarter

From Techcrunch.com :

iSkoot, the startup that specializes in creating software for the billions of mobile phones that aren’t smartphones, has released its new Kalaida Platform, allowing users to access their social networks, RSS feeds, and Email from their basic cell phones.

The platform includes support for Facebook, Email, instant messaging, and RSS news services, and international carriers can add or remove services to suit their regions. Kalaida Platform is a big step for the company, which was previously best known for its mobile Skype client. The platform stems from iSkoot’s acquision of Social.im last September.

iSkoot’s Kalaida Platform works with most phones, but it still requires a dataplan - something that many users with basic phones don’t have (at least in the United States). The carriers will love this, as it will drive some users to spring for their unlimited data packages, but iSkoot will still have to fend off competitors, who include Mig33 and Trutap.

A Computer Repair Utility Kit You Can Run From a Thumb Drive

Technibble, the Australian site for aspiring computer techies, recently released the second version of its popular Computer Repair Utility Kit, a collection of 57 hand picked tools to help you diagnose and repair your Windows machine.

While all of the utilities are freely available online, this all-in-one kit saves you the trouble of searching for and downloading them individually. Most of the applications don't require installation and the kit can be run directly from your thumb drive (eg. USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive, IPod etc.) and comes with an easy to use, right-click menu. A must in any computer technicians kit.

The Computer Repair Utility Kit contains with the following applications:

File Management

• CCleaner - Cleans up Windows systems. Clears temporary internet files, cookies, history etc..
• JkDefragGUI - An advanced defragging tool far superior to the built in Windows one
• DriveimageXML - Hard drive imaging tool. Allows you to get a single file out of a whole image too
• Explore2fs - Allows you to explore hard drives with Linux file systems
• Double Killer - Finds duplicate files and deletes them
• Deep Burner - CD/DVD Burning software
• 7-Zip Portable - Archive creating and extraction tool. Can handle most compression formats
• PC-Decrapifier - Cleans out the crap that comes installed on new brand name computers (Norton trials, toolbars etc.)

Information

• Process Explorer - Allows you to view system processes
• System Information - View lots of information about a system (specs, passwords, temperatures etc.)
• ProduKey - View software cdkeys and serials
• Autoruns - Autostart program viewer
• HWMonitor - View hardware information
• GPU-Z - Show video card information (chipset, bios version, shaders, memory size etc.)
• Wireless Key View - Shows saved wireless network keys
• TreeSize Free - Show how much space each folder on a system uses
• Game Key Revealer - View CDKeys and Serials for popular games
• USBDView - Allows you to list and manage USB devices (including devices that arent currently plugged in)
• TrID - Identifies file types for extension-less files
• Codec Installer - Finds and analyzes video codecs
• Unknown Devices - Tells you what a “Unknown Device” in system properties actually is
• GSpot - Video analyizer

Repair Tools

• Norton Removal Tool - Removes Symantec products
• McAfee Removal Tool - Removes McAfee products
• LSPFix - Fixes broken Winsock entries
• Dial-a-Fix - Repair Windows files and registries

Recovery

• Recuva - Recovers deleted files
• Restoration - Recovers deleted files
• Photorec - Recover deleted/damaged files from Flash memory (like digital cameras)
• DBXTract - Recover emails from damaged DBX files (like Outlook Express)

Network Tools

• Wireshark - View network packets
• Network Scanner - Scans the network for devices
• Putty - SSH/Telnet/RLogin client
• Network Stumbler - Wireless Network Scanner

Virus and Malware Removal Tools

• Clamwin Antivirus - Virus scanner/remover
• Rootkit Revealer - Detects rootkits on a system
• Combofix - Malware finder and remover
• SmitFraudFix - Malware finder and remover
• RogueFix - Malware finder and remover
• Hijack This! - Malware remover
• SUPERAntiSpyware - Malware scanner and remover
• Malwarebytes - Malware scanner and remover

Misc

• Mozilla Firefox - Web browser
• JavaRa - Find and remove old Java versions
• Monitor Tester - Test monitors from problems
• Dead Pixel Tester - Finds and fixes dead pixels on LCDs
• ChkFlsh - Check flash drives for errors or test their real size (as fake ones appear on eBay)
• Double Driver - Driver backup tool
• SumatraPDF - Lightweight PDF viewer
• Revo Uninstaller - Advanced application uninstaller

Tweaks

• TweakUI - Windows XP tweaking tool
• VistaTweaker - Vista tweaking tool

Scripts

• Quickly Make a System Restore Point - Makes restore point
• Reset Network - Releases/Renews IP and flushes DNS
• Clear Printer Spooler - Clears stuck print jobs from spooler
• Stop Automatic Updates - Stops “Windows has installed updates, restart now” dialog temporarily
• Start Automatic Updates - Switches it back on

To start the toolkit. Extract the zip file to your portable media and run “Launcher.exe”. You can also add your own utilities to the menu by going to File > and make it so it autoruns when you insert your portable media into the system.

Download:
Mirror 1: Computer-Repair-Utility-Kit-V2.zip - 88.4mb @ Sharebee.com (multiple locations like Rapidshare, Megaupload etc.). Thanks to Ron for uploading.
Mirror 2: Computer-Repair-Utility-Kit-V2.zip - 88.4mb @ Generously hosted at JasonRoss.name
Mirror 3: Computer-Repair-Utility-Kit-V2.zip - 88.4mb @ Generously hosted at AlibabaComputech.com
Mirror 4: Computer-Repair-Utility-Kit-V2.zip - 88.4mb @ Generously hosted at KCCSOnline.com
Mirror 5: Computer-Repair-Utility-Kit-V2.zip - 88.4mb @ Generously hosted at ChatNFiles.com

MD5: bb1dd33daf2a721fb0688d6022dd0600